I was down in Charleston, SC last weekend for #5 of #runnngthestates (read my race details here, and my friend Jen’s here). It was my first time in Chucktown, and the charming city could not have left me with a better first impression.
It was a short trip — just Friday to Sunday, so there was definitely plenty I didn’t get to see/eat/do. Here’s how I spent my 48 hours down there, plus some things I hope to do when I return. 1. Ran the Charleston Half Marathon. It was my main reason for being down there! And it was an awesome race to start the year off with. 2. Took a carriage ride through downtown and historic Charleston. There are several companies that offer carriage tour services. We went with Palmetto Carriage. Our tour guide, Bubba, was fantastic — an engaging storyteller with a soothing voice.
3. Strolled the Charleston Waterfront Park. It’s really beautiful there.
4. Saw the famous Pineapple Fountain (at the Waterfront). According to the postcard I bought, “the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality in Charleston and throughout the south.”
5. Used a free electric car service called Scoop. Our driver, John, was friendly and entertaining! 6. Brunched at Rutledge Cab Co. John, the Scoop driver, recommended it, and even made reservations for us (bonus points for Scoop). I had the fish tacos. They were amazing.
7. Drank my first Southern Mule. It accompanied my first meal in town at Southend Brewery and Smokehouse. I had the shrimp burger— it was good.
8. Had some brew from the local Westbrook Brewing Co. and had my first Rye Pale Ale. Had no idea Rye Pale Ale existed. It wasn’t bad. 9. Ate at the renowned Hominy Grill. I had a Charleston Nasty Biscuit, and it was so, so good.
10. For next time: Hang out on Historic King Street. It’s a popular spot for shopping. The half marathon route went along King Street, but it’s not the same as taking a leisurely stroll and browsing shops. 11. Also for next time: Go sailing. There’s a big sailing community down there, which isn’t surprising given it’s located on a peninsula. If I had more time, I would have loved to squeeze in a sailing excursion. 12. And more for next time: Dine at a few of the well-known hot spots, like Husk and Magnolias. Charleston has a vibrant food scene, and on my next visit, hopefully I’ll have more time to explore it.
Running the States 